Frances J. MacDonald's Obituary
On March 28, 2023, my beautiful, sweet mother, Frances, passed away peacefully while holding my hand and listening to her favorite songs, which was exactly the ending she prayed for. I'm so blessed to have been able to care for her. It was a beautiful journey for the two of us. She was an extraordinary, loving mother and wife who gave her everything for us, and there wasn't anything we wouldn't do for her. Her family was her life.
She is predeceased by her son, Ray MacDonald Jr., and her daughter, Debra Doerrler, and she is survived by her daughter, Karen Frances Walsh. She is also survived by her daughter in-law, Carol MacDonald and her son in-law, John Doerrler.
She adored and lived for her three children. She was our cheerleader all throughout our lives, and always let us know there wasn't anything we couldn't do. I can picture her saying, "Come on, you can do it - don't give up." She woke up every day with a beautiful smile on her face, and her mother always told her not to ever send your children to school crying or sad. We went off to school every day happy, because of her! In our eyes, there was no other mother like her. We were the luckiest three children in the world! She made so many sacrifices for us.
Mom was so proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved them all dearly. Darlene Henwood (Dave), Jessica Doerrler, William Doerrler (Nicole), Gina Ritch (Burkley), Kevin MacDonald (Stephana) Great grandchildren: Katelyn and Emma Henwood, Brandon and Alyssa Doerrler, Rylan and Everly Ritch, Marleigh and Kinsley MacDonald
Mom was born 8/21/26, to her parents, Francis (Frank) and Mary McNamara in Staten Island, NY. She had two siblings, John, and Shirley. My grandmother also took in a baby named Hattie for 13 years to help Hattie's mom who was struggling during the Great Depression. Mom always thought Hattie was her older sister growing up. Mom said it was the best childhood she could possibly ask for. Though times were very hard, they were so rich with love, laughter, and a very close family. She grew up in a neighborhood with lots of children, and it was a time where all the neighbors helped each other. Even the neighborhood pharmacist, Mr. Glucman, would give my grandmother free medication to help her with her severe asthma. My grandmother would sew all the neighborhood children’s clothes for school. She never said no to anyone, and no one said no to her. It was a special time to grow up. It was a time of innocence and patriotism.
Mom attended Port Richmond High School and graduated with honors. She was always in the top of her class, and she received a scholarship to Brooklyn College of Nursing. Most of the boys in her Senior year couldn't wait to sign up to fight for their country. Mom said the boys went off to war, and since it was mainly girls left in the class, she formed a very special bond with her best friends and did everything together. That bond lasted until each of them passed away. Mom was the last one of them left. Most of these girls were on her basketball team, The Faberettes. One of her great memories was when they won the championship game at Madison Square Garden, which was a dream come true for a young girl. She talked about them all the time and treasured their friendships. If you were mom's friend, you were a friend for life. Everyone that met her loved her. She was a ray of sunshine. She had a big smile for everyone she met.
Mom had to start a new life for herself when she was 52, so she got her real estate license and worked for Bay Classic Realty. She was then offered a job with Supermedia in Telephone Sales as a Receptionist/Switchboard Operator, which she loved. She loved all the young people she worked with and admired their energy, and how full of life they were. She loved being around them. They all brought her so much happiness. She was thrilled to have a corporate job which lasted 17 years until her retirement. It was a wonderful time in her life.
Mom grew up playing cards with her family. They loved Pinochle and Canasta. Mom's great love was playing Bridge. She became an avid player and met so many wonderful friends that she played with. When we moved to Florida, someone asked her to join them playing Bridge, so mom bought a book to teach herself how to play and never stopped playing. Even in that last week of her life, she was asking me if I could find her Bridge book for her. Later in life she had a group of friends that played Bingo any chance they got. They were all full of life, fun, and had so many laughs together.
I want to thank my daughter Darlene, my son in-law Dave, my granddaughters Katelyn and Emma, and my partner, Mike Muhlbaier, for all of their love, support and understanding during the time I spent caring for my mom.
I also want to thank the Hospice Silver Team for helping mom and I get through her journey. I also want to thank Jaylen Cooper and Joanna Haynes. Mom and I loved them all, and I'm forever grateful for their help, love, and kindness.
Mom, I'm so proud of you, and I admire your strength and determination to not give up. You fought to the end. No one could love you more than me. Your loving daughter, Karen
Funeral Mass is Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - 10:00 AM at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd. NE St. Petersburg, Florida 33704.
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